Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		$ 2,788	$ 2,898
Net realized gains		(16)	10
Revenues attributable to CIEs		24	149
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		9	(4)
Market impact of hedges on investments		(40)	0
Total net revenues	[1]	2,765	3,053
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		497	562
Net realized gains		(16)	10
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs		(2)	86
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net		17	(34)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		19	(6)
Market impact of hedges on investments		(40)	0
Pretax income		475	618
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		1,198	1,228
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		205	210
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		724	807
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		149	191
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		596	631
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		124	172
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		608	590
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		69	51
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		2	(6)
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		(50)	(62)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	[2]	(340)	(352)
Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		239	247
Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		11	11
Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		79	84
Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		11	10
Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		0	0
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues		$ 172	$ 233

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $172 million and $233 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($239 and $247, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $11, respectively); Annuities ($79 and $84, respectively); Protection ($11 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and nil, respectively).